K-Dogs and K-pop on St. Mark's Place

Oh K-Dog is opening a branch at 36 St. Mark's Place between Second Avenue and Third Avenue, as we noted last summer. 

This past week, new signage (h/t Steven!) arrived next to the shop that will sell Korean-style snacks such as stuffed hot dogs and egg toast ... for K-pop Albums and Goods. 

People have asked about it... a side business, perhaps? We'll see! There isn't any mention of it on the Oh K-Dog site or social media.

Oh K-Dog also has outposts on Ludlow Street and Seventh Avenue South, with several more planned for the city.

As for this storefront on St. Mark's Place... not much has had success here in recent years. Joe's Steam Rice Roll was the most recent tenant, quietly closing in March 2021. Other concepts included Cheers Cut, the Taiwanese mini-chain of fried foods ... Friterie Belgian Fries ... Fasta ("Pasta Your Way") ... and the $1.50 branch of 2 Bros. Pizza.

Sunday's parting shot

#StandWithUkraine at Big Bar on Seventh Street today.. thanks to Michael Quinn for the photo...

The Black History Bowl returns to the Lower East Side

Photos by Stacie Joy 

The second-annual Black History Bowl took place yesterday afternoon at the Baruch Playground on the Lower East Side...

Once again, the event featured residents, community groups and local elected officials commemorating Black History Month ... bringing together young adults and their parents. (There were also two games of flag football.)

Donations allowed for snacks, drinks and meals for 60 kids... with any leftovers going to the Loisaida CommUnity Fridge and Pantry at Trinity Church on Ninth Street and Avenue B. 

Here are a few photos via EVG contributor Stacie Joy...

The Black History Bowl was created by Ty Lemons — aka For the Love of the City, a neighborhood resident and coach, mentor and event planner.

Week In Grieview

Posts this last week included (with a photo outside McSorley's by @ArtieAthas) ...

• The #SupportUkraine Humanitarian Effort (Saturday) 

• Local Ukrainians react to the Russian invasion (Friday)

• Cleaning out and preparing to rebuild Essex Card Shop on Avenue A (Tuesday)
• Lady Wong brings the desserts of Southeast Asia to 9th Street (Thursday)
• A visit to June First Skincare (Wednesday)
• Meg is on the move (Saturday)
• Another step to make outdoor dining permanent (Thursday)
• Missing: the fruit vendor on 1st Avenue; the taco cart on 2nd Street (Friday)
• A visit to CLLCTV.NYC (Tuesday)
• Rowdy Rooster debuts on 1st Avenue (Wednesday)
• Reports of suspicious fires in Stuy Town (Wednesday)
• Tribute-filled façade of former Basquiat studio painted over (Tuesday)
• Ralph's returns on Avenue A (Thursday)
• Blick makes it signage official on 4th Avenue (Wednesday)
• Cutting down a sycamore tree on 9th Street (Thursday)
• Verameat has closed (Tuesday)
• Bistro Marylou opening at 41 St. Mark's Place (Friday)
• Joey Bats opening a shipping outpost on Houston Street (Tuesday)
• A Neighborhood Loading Zone for this block of 9th Street (Monday)
• So long to the Union Square Walgreens (Monday)
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About the new neon Lucy's signage at Lucy's

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

You may have noticed a new Lucy's sign hanging in the front window at Lucy's (aka Blanche's Lucy's Tavern), 135 Avenue A between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street. 

Proprietor Ludwika "Lucy" Mickevicius' birthday is Feb. 10, and a friend bought her the sign as a gift. 

Lucy said that she doesn't usually celebrate her birthday as it is also the anniversary of her husband's death ... but this year she celebrated with this new sign...

BTW if you're on Instagram, you can follow Lucy's here.

Saturday's parting shot

Today outside Veselka on Second Avenue and Ninth Street... photo by Derek Berg...

The #SupportUkraine Humanitarian Effort

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine enters its third day, we've heard from readers asking what they can do to help show their support.

The East Village-based Ukrainian Congress Committee of America has launched a #SupportUkraine Humanitarian Effort with AICM-Ukraine. (Link here.)

Andrij V. Dobriansky, director of communications and media at the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, told us that they are working with UN-registered NGOs.

"We are using these donations to get supplies into Ukraine that can be more easily transported: bandages, diapers, emergency pharmaceutical packs — all items in need for refugees making a long journey," he said.

Meanwhile, yesterday, a group of local elected officials, clergy and community leaders gathered at the Ukrainian National Home on Second Avenue between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street to stand in solidarity with Ukrainian New Yorkers.

Today, I rallied with the Ukrainian-American community here in NYC for peace above all else. I stand and will continue to stand with this community and the people of Ukraine throughout this. pic.twitter.com/pXZupKAO1e

— Carolyn B. Maloney (@RepMaloney) February 25, 2022

Standing today in solidarity with leaders of NYC's Ukrainian community, calling for action in the face of Putin's reprehensible war.

We want Ukrainian immigration requests expedited, safe passage of relief supplies, and seizure of oligarch's assets in NYC.

Слава Україні.🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/TwjGCQlHHR

— Mark D. Levine (@MarkLevineNYC) February 25, 2022

Honored to share space and solidarity with colleagues and friends in Little Ukraine today. We stand resolute with the people of Ukraine and their families demanding immediate action against totalitarian, premeditated war.

Слава Україні. Glory to Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/BY4O83D4DC

— Carlina Rivera 利華娜 (@CarlinaRivera) February 25, 2022

Outside Veselka on Second Avenue and Ninth Street, co-owner Jason Birchard talked with reporters.

"My grandfather started this. He was an immigrant from Ukraine escaping Russian aggression in the 1940s," Birchard told CBS News. "They're frightened, they're scared, there's a state of shock. People don't know what to do. It's not only a war against Ukraine. It's a war against the free world."

Above photos from yesterday by Stacie Joy

Top photo by Steven

Meg is on the move

Photos by Stacie Joy

Meg, the locally made, independent clothing line, is moving its flagship NYC location... from its longtime home on Ninth Street to 262 Mott St. just below Houston. 

As we're told, the new outpost will be open on Friday. However, this doesn't mean an empty storefront now at 312 E. Ninth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue. This space will become a "Meg Archive" for used Meg clothes to be resold and traded. 

Meanwhile, EVG contributor Stacie Joy reports there are several pieces left at the shop... everything is under $25. Gloves are $2/pair, sweats for S10, dresses, jumpsuits, tops, etc., $25.

Store hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Megan Kinney opened her first shop in the East Village in 1994.

Friday's parting shot

Late-afternoon Midtown view from the EV...

By the Way...

 

Clovis, a local band we like, released this video for "Other Way Out" on Feb. 18. 

And you can catch Clovis live with Computerwife and PlayShoes on Tuesday night at Nublu, 151 Avenue C. Find details here.

Mid-afternoon Walgreens signage removal shots

As seen today on the 13th Street/Fourth Avenue side of the now-closed Walgreens... thanks to Jeanne Krier for the pics...

'The feeling is shock'

Photo of St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church on 7th Street by N&Lon7th 

As The New York Times points out, NYC is home to more than 150,000 Ukrainians, the largest such community in the country... the East Village and Brighton Beach are among the neighborhoods with large populations of Ukrainian-Americans. Here are some local headlines from the past 24 hours following the Russian invasion of Ukraine yesterday...

• Protesters rally for Ukraine on UES, at East Village church; "Please, help our families" (CBS 2)

St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church in the East Village, parishioners gathered to pray for peace. 

Andrij Dobriansky is the church cantor and spokesman for the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America. 

 

"The feeling is shock. The feeling is the punch to the stomach," Dobriansky said. "This entire neighborhood was built on the back of refugees, people who know what destruction is, so this is what we've been fearing for the longest time." 

 • "A Time of Worries": New York City's Ukrainians are anxious and afraid (The New York Times) 

• Ukrainians take to the streets in Manhattan (The New York Times) 

• "Stop Putin": Demonstrators at Manhattan rallies voice loud support for Ukraine (NBC 4)

• "They are prepared to fight" — NYC's Ukrainian community watches family and friends brace for invasion (Gothamist) 

 • "It breaks my heart": East Village’s Little Ukraine prays for peace (amNY/The Villager) 

• Ukrainian Americans express anger, sadness as Russia invades (USA Today, includes quote from Veselka owner Tom Birchard) 

• Support Ukrainian-owned businesses by dining at these NYC restaurants (Thrillist)